Consequences by C.P. Odom Read Free Book Online

had shaken her own firm convictions, but further information was not forthcoming as the housekeeper went on to describe the many fine features of the rooms through which they walked.
    Her uncle unwittingly obliged her, being highly amused by Mrs. Reynolds’s excessive commendations of her employers. He had no notion of the interest of his niece, attributing such praise by the older woman to the kind of family prejudice common among long-serving servants, and he soon brought the conversation back to this topic. Mrs. Reynolds was quite willing to return to the subject, and she dwelt on her master’s many merits as they proceeded up the great staircase and down the spacious lobby above.
    Though she tried her best to conceal her interest, Elizabeth followed every word in rapt fascination, marvelling anew at the amiable light in which the housekeeper’s testimony painted the man she would have previously considered the most arrogant and disdainful of her acquaintance.
    Something is clearly amiss , she thought in consternation, in either my understanding or the understanding of this woman who has known him since he was a mere four years old!
    Her aunt walked by her side and whispered, “This fine account of Mr. Darcy is not quite consistent with his behaviour to our poor friend.”
    Elizabeth was unwilling to repeat what she knew of Mr. Wickham from Mr. Darcy’s letter and could only manage a limp response that they might have been deceived, a response that did little to gratify her aunt’s curiosity. Since she could think of no way in which to satisfy her aunt, Elizabeth thought it well to be silent on this question.
    When they reached the spacious lobby above, Mrs. Reynolds showed them into a very pretty sitting room. “This room has only recently been completely done over for Miss Darcy. She happened to mention she found it quite pleasing before she left Pemberley in the spring, and my master privately gave orders to have it fitted up for her pleasure before they return.”
    “He is certainly a good brother,” said Elizabeth weakly, turning away towards one of the windows to again conceal her discomposure from her relatives as well as the housekeeper.
    “I am sure she will be delighted when she sees the room tomorrow,” enthused Mrs. Reynolds. “This is always the way with him—whatever can give his sister any pleasure is sure to be done in a moment. There is nothing he would not do for her.”
    By this time, little remained to be shown the visitors. The picture-gallery contained many fine paintings, but Elizabeth knew little of art and found more of interest in some crayon drawings done by Miss Darcy and displayed on several easels. She stayed to look at them while her aunt and uncle were shown the several guest apartments that were almost the last of the tour.
    As they walked along the gallery on the way to the stairs, Mrs. Reynolds pointed out the many family portraits lining the walls. Since she had no knowledge of the Darcy family, Elizabeth’s interest was not piqued; she was interested in only one portrait, and she walked on by herself until she found it at last.
    The familiar features of Mr. Darcy looked back at her from the large portrait, and Elizabeth marvelled at the likeness captured by the painter. He looked somewhat reserved, as she had so often seen him, but he also wore a slight smile she remembered sometimes seeing when he looked at her. She looked earnestly at the portrait for several minutes, and her emotions where awhirl as she tried to discern whether she or the artist had the better insight into his character. Knowing now where his affections had pointed, her agitation was too extreme, and she could not bear further introspection and walked away.
    Meanwhile, her aunt and uncle were making their way down the line of portraits, listening attentively to Mrs. Reynolds. As they got closer to her, Elizabeth walked back to join them as they came to a halt before Mr. Darcy’s portrait.
    “This